Chapter 17

This is the second one today.

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"That's why I said the problem with the sea crystals has been resolved."

Olivia stated again that the issue, which was supposed to be a problem, had been resolved.

"Excuse me, Princess. If it could be resolved so easily... there would have been no need for you to marry into Heim."

Warren voiced his doubt.

Indeed, it was a problem significant enough to warrant the marriage of a princess from a nation.

Yet, the words that Olivia spoke were that it had been resolved.

"That was a difficult choice for us as well. We cannot engage in acts of aggression as the first unified king decreed. Therefore, it was a bitter choice. And since the princess has married into Heim..."

Ishtharica does not permit acts of aggression against other continents.

This was decided by the first king who unified the many ethnic groups of the continent of Ishthar.

Except in times of imminent crisis, such combat actions are not allowed at all.

Trade embargoes could be considered as retaliation, but fundamentally, trade with Heim is unprofitable and is not conducted.

Therefore, the only possible retaliation in this case was likely to sever diplomatic relations.

Ishtharica did not forcibly seize resources or coerce, but the reason for the legitimate trade was this.

"To be honest, I somewhat resent the research team that searched for sea crystals... and the father who ordered it."

"I understand that I have done something to be resented."

"What do you understand?"

"... For sending Olivia to marry. To a place not of her own will."

Olivia spoke with resentment, but it seemed different from what Silvardo had been thinking.

"Then, what is it? As a king, I will not apologize, but as a father, I can."

"That's right. Then I'll tell you... I thought our country, Ishtharica, had advanced technology. When the research team returned, I was amazed by the vast amount of sea crystals they discovered."

"Indeed, that was a wonderful achievement."

"Yes, that's true. But if they had been satisfied and finished the job there..."

"Princess, what do you mean by that?"

Chris pressed Olivia for an explanation.

The flow of the conversation seemed to have changed.

"Roundheart gave me a certain amount of freedom. Therefore, as the head of the Roundheart family, I could use the tax revenue somewhat freely. Because of this, I was able to do something."

"Does this connect to the problem with the sea crystals?"

"Exactly. The sea crystals were only found near Heim, and I should have been suspicious. In the northwest of Heim, in the Duchy of Euru... sea crystals were also discovered there."

"Princess, is that true!?"

Lloyd's surprise was understandable.

Another location where the precious sea crystals were buried had been found.

"(When did Mother conduct this investigation?)"

"But Princess, how did you conduct the investigation? I apologize, but it requires diving to a considerable depth. I have not heard of Ishtharica sending a research team."

"Yes, because I didn't use a research team. I commissioned... the guilds and adventurers of the other continent."

"Commissioned adventurers? Olivia, could it be that..."

"It took several years. I had to commission adventurers who could dive deep into the sea. Financially, it exceeded what I could freely use."

After marrying into the Roundheart family, Olivia gradually conducted research on sea crystals.

She thought that if new sea crystals were found, it would be even better for Ishtharica. While it might be useful in a situation like this, at the time, she did not have such intentions.

"I'm getting tired of this long talk. I'll summarize it simply. The Ishtharica research team only surveyed the coastal waters. They did not investigate hidden coves by listening to the voices of the locals."

"Coves...?! But coves are where the bones of monsters accumulate..."

"Mother, did you find them by digging into the sand of the coves?"

"Hehe... Yes, Ein. You are indeed clever."

"The Duchy of Euru is a region prone to wind disasters. So I thought the power of the waves would be strong..."

Coves are usually calm places, but the cove in the Duchy of Euru was different.

The cliffs were very sturdy, and it was not easy to erode them.

Nevertheless, the cove that was eroded had strong waves crashing into it.

As a result, the accumulated materials on the seabed gradually moved due to the currents and waves, eventually accumulating sea crystals in the cove of Euru.

"Exactly as Ein explained. The sea crystals were carried into the cove by the waves caused by the climate of Euru."

"... Then, are you telling me to trade with Euru, Olivia?"

"What are you saying, Father? I won't be anyone's wife anymore. The trade with Euru has already progressed to a certain stage."

"... What do you mean, Princess?"

While everyone was stunned by Olivia's words, only Warren pursued the matter.

"Yes, here it is. This is the reason for the statement that 'the problem with the sea crystals has been resolved.'"

Saying this, Olivia presented two message birds.

The message bird, which she used when returning, is not a bird but a disposable communication device that works by both the sender and receiver having a set.

A single magic stone is split into two with special processing, maintaining its connection while functioning.

Since it is one-way communication, two message birds are prepared for one round trip.

Olivia wanted at least two round trips, but the distance between Ishtharica and Euru is far, making the message birds expensive.

These two message birds were prepared by managing the tax revenue of the Roundheart territory, which she could use freely.

"This looks like a message bird to me, Warren. Is it the same for you?"

"Yes, I'm certain of it, Princess... Could this be the reason for the resolution?"

"Ah... Princess, who has always been intelligent and even outwitted the king in negotiations... I never thought..."

Martha, seeing the message bird Olivia presented, spoke in surprise.

Warren seemed to have guessed, but Martha also understood.

"I have used personnel from commercial guilds and adventurer guilds. So it cannot be definitively concluded that I was the first lady of Roundheart. I will also hand over this document. It contains the labor costs for mining sea crystals and the purchase price that Euru desires."

Saying this, Olivia took out a piece of paper and handed it to Prime Minister Warren along with the two message birds.

"Hehe... Princess, you have always been a promising princess. I never thought you could advance negotiations between nations to this extent on your own."

"Since the material had no value to Euru, I was able to negotiate a reasonable price, though indirectly."

Olivia's words left Silvardo, Warren, and Lloyd in shock.

"Princess, how does the other party recognize you?"

"I approached it as a new merchant guild. I vaguely mentioned using the minerals for new product development."

"... The price per unit of sea crystals is also quite reasonable. Considering the labor costs, this is a more than satisfactory outcome. The estimated mining volume is sufficient to last for a considerable time."

After reading the document, Warren expressed his thoughts to Silvardo. The content seemed to be something that could be smoothly advanced in Ishtharica.

"However, how will we reveal our true identity? The negotiations seem to be mostly completed. It seems that there would be no particular problem even if we reveal ourselves as Ishtharica."

"I'm sorry... I'm getting confused."

"I understand, Your Majesty. I am as well."

Silvardo, looking exhausted, was echoed by Martha.

"I'm tired of talking about this. Father, can I leave the negotiations to you?"

"That's too simple. Then what was the point of sending Olivia to marry?"

"Having a cute child like Ein makes up for it."

"... I see."

For Olivia, having a child like Ein had already erased the hardships she experienced in a foreign land. Everyone was surprised by what Olivia had done, but they were relieved that things seemed to be going well.

* * *

It seems that Mother was the most overpowered.

"Ein, I'm sorry for talking for so long. Was it boring?"

"No, not at all. It resolved all the questions I had."

"I'm glad to hear that."

After about an hour, all the questions everyone had were finally resolved. At the end, Mother showed a bit of her overpowered side.

"Martha, can you prepare some tea?"

"Understood."

"I'll help. Your Majesty, Princess, please excuse me for a moment."

Martha was asked by the king to prepare tea, and Chris followed to help. Indeed, their throats were a bit dry.

"Truly, my child seems to be favored by topics and commotions."

"That's right, Your Majesty."

"Indeed, it seems so. ... Your Majesty, may I ask one question?"

"What is it?"

Warren seemed to have a question and started to ask the king.

"Forgive me, but I cannot help but wonder, why did Roundheart disinherit Ein?"

"... Warren, it's because of my skill."

"Huh? A skill...?"

Lloyd looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Forgive me, Ein, is it just a skill?"

"Yes. As the Grand General and as Lady Isis, ... in the prestigious martial family of Roundheart, my skill was not recognized. My younger brother, Grin, was born a Holy Knight."

"Hmm... That's a rather mysterious story, Lloyd."

Warren, looking puzzled, turned to Lloyd.

"Yes, I am here as the Marshal of the Ishtharica Knights. What do you think my innate skill is?"

Why are you asking me? It's probably something like a Holy Knight. Are you boasting? I won't allow it.

"... A Holy Knight?"

"Pfft... Haha, Lloyd, being born a Holy Knight... Hahaha!"

"Warren, you don't have to laugh so much... I don't often talk about it, but my innate skill is 'Sewing'..."

Sewing? The sewing that makes clothes?

Can a tough guy like this be born with sewing? Is this a joke?

"I'm confused. Does it mean becoming better at making clothes?"

"Despite my appearance, that's correct. I don't like to boast about my efforts, but... after continuing my blood-soaked training and various practices, I became one of the strongest in the Ishtharica Knights."

Lloyd said he became one of the strongest.

His expression at that moment was cool and proud, and I felt envious.

"It's not an easy feat. But continuing to work hard from something that doesn't seem suitable for a knight... and reaching the top of the knight order."

"Ein, I recognize Lloyd's strength and his efforts."

Indeed, to be praised by the king to this extent.

"Next time, you should see Lloyd's sewing skills."

"Nu!"

"... I've given an example. Let me be clear. Even in the Ishtharica Knights, there are people who have reached the rank of Marshal through their own efforts. I don't think it's impossible in the Heim Knights. In fact, it should be possible in Heim."

Warren says a lot.

I haven't seen the strength of the Ishtharica people.

But from their technical skills, they seem to be a group of highly skilled individuals.

"Um. Ein, this is what we found strange."

"I didn't think it would be that bad, but in Heim, people are greatly distinguished by their birth. Their growth afterward is not considered much."

"Indeed, that's a waste... Lloyd, what do you think?"

"Purely, there is a lack of training and educational techniques. Therefore, they have to rely on the luck of birth."

In Ishtharica, I thought innate skills were important, but seeing someone who reached the rank of Marshal through effort, I felt a bit relieved.

Because it made me feel like I had a place.

And I want to see Lloyd's sewing skills later.

"Everyone, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. I've brought warm tea."

Just as I was thinking that, Martha and Chris returned.

"Let's go to the back room. Ein, there's a room where you can rest behind this audience chamber. You can talk to us there."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty... hmm, the way to address you can be discussed later."

* * *

Led by the king, we went behind the throne... behind a large curtain, which was actually a luxurious piece with gold thread embroidery.

Next to the curtain was a hidden door, and entering the room, there were several large sofas in a spacious room.

"Everyone, please take a seat. I will serve the tea."

"Please, Princess, Ein."

While Martha was serving the tea, I and Mother were led by Chris to sit on a nearby sofa.

Since we didn't have a long break after the meal, it was nice to be able to sit down.

I sipped the tea to calm down.

"Phew. Good tea, Martha.